Chargers stay healthy (so far) through new preseason philosophy

No news is good news.

That’s the word coming out of Chargers camp this Monday following Saturday’s preseason opener against Seattle. While a few players got banged up against the Seahawks, head coach Norv Turner said none of the injuries suffered Saturday are long term.

“Brandon Siler (LB) has a sore hamstring,” Turner said. “He’ll be day to day. We should get a bunch of guys back this week. It’s not like you get them all back at once… Some of these young guys — over the next two or three days — I’d like to think we’d be able to get them back.”

Related: Tomlinson carries the ball in preseason opener

Besides Siler, SS Steve Gregory (ribs), DT Ian Scott (knee), WR Buster Davis (thigh) and P Mike Scifres (groin) were all listed on the postgame injury report.

He also expects previously injured players like LB Stephen Cooper (undisclosed) rookie OG Louis Vasquez (foot) and  linebacker Larry English (hamstring) to return to practice soon.

Even better news for Chargers fans is that players like LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, who don’t normally see much preseason action, are feeling fine after taking some hits on Saturday.

It demonstrates a new preseason philosophy from Turner, who is evidently tired of getting off to slow starts and wants his offense running and well-oiled for the Sept. 14 opener against the Raiders.

The Chargers lost their first two and started 4-8 before rattling off four straight to sneak into the playoffs last season. In 2007, they lost three straight after winning the season opener against Chicago.

While they made the playoffs both years, the seasons ended with road playoff losses short of the Super Bowl. Picking up those wins early in the season could be the difference in home-field advantage as San Diego has its sights on Miami.

“Antonio had a fumble returned for a touchdown in the Carolina game in the opener,” Turner said. “And that was the first game he’d had any contact in.”

The Chargers lost that game 26-24 in heartbreaking fashion on a last second Panthers touchdown.

The thought process is that if Gates takes the hits now, he’ll be better prepared for them in the regular season.

It’s the same with Tomlinson. Turner cited Tomlinson’s six-yard gain on Saturday as a prime example. He broke through some Seattle defenders and was close to breaking open for a huge gain.

“I’d like to think that by having experienced that and experiencing it next week in Arizona and feeling those plays; that not only he, but the fullback and the guard that were blocking on the play - if the three of them will see that and we get that same opportunity in the opening game, it might be a 40-yard play by having had this experience,” Turner said.

So that translates to yes: Tomlinson will get more carries as the preseason moves forward. Expect him to see five or six more touches against Arizona on Saturday.

Quarterback Philip Rivers was glad to have both of his Pro Bowl targets on the field.

“It was good having LT out there,” Rivers said. “He sounds like he was excited to be out there. It will allow him to be in a rhythm come week one. Gates (three catches on Saturday) had an impact early…. Those guys are obviously huge in the offense and will be.”

Turner also said that Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman didn’t show any ill effects on his reconstructed knee from his limited action against Seattle. He was lifting weights and didn’t report any lingering problems from the game.

The downside to the extra reps is obviously the injury risk. For the first time in years, San Diego is relatively injury free at this point in camp.

“We just have such a great mesh,” Rivers said. “Obviously there’s some guys that have been banged up. Injuries will occur. At least early in camp we didn’t have anybody carrying injuries into the season - not like we’ve had the past few years.”

With the season opener still four weeks out, time will tell if the risk ends up being worthwhile.

The Chargers will practice at Chargers Park through Thursday before a Friday walkthrough at the San Diego Naval base in preparation for Saturday’s exhibition at the NFC Champion Cardinals.

Jason Owens is the SDNN sports editor.

Tags: Chargers, Gates, Norv Turner, SDNN, Tomlinson

This entry was posted on Monday, August 17th, 2009 at 4:32 pm and is filed under Chargers, Football, Sports . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.